Schools, colleges, universities and technical institutions in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district will remain closed from August 4 to August 12 amid the
heavy movement of Kanwariyas and devotees during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, officials said. According to a PTI report, the district administration has ordered the closure of educational institutions from nursery to Class 12, along with colleges, universities and technical institutions, citing the safety of students as Kanwar pilgrims continue to move through various routes in the district. As per the order issued by the district inspector of schools on the directions of the district magistrate, a large number of Kanwariyas and devotees have started travelling along different routes in Ghaziabad. The administration said the temporary closure has been ordered to ensure the safety of students amid the increased movement of pilgrims. The order covers institutions affiliated with the Basic Education Board, Uttar Pradesh Board, CBSE, ICSE, madrassa board and other recognised boards. Both government and private educational institutions will be required to follow the closure directive. The administration has, however, clarified that examinations already notified for any course or subject will not be affected. Such examinations will be conducted according to the schedule announced earlier by the respective institutions. Kanwar Yatra Causes Wider School Closures In Western UP The Kanwar Yatra witnesses a major movement of devotees across western Uttar Pradesh during the holy month of Shravan. Kanwariyas generally collect holy Ganga water from Haridwar and other sacred ghats and carry it back on foot to offer at Shiva temples. The movement of pilgrims leads to increased pressure on several roads and highways, with authorities implementing traffic diversions, security arrangements and other measures to manage the annual pilgrimage. Ghaziabad is among the districts witnessing increased Kanwariya movement this year, prompting the administration to suspend regular academic activities for over a week. The move is intended to keep students away from routes experiencing heavy pilgrim and traffic movement during the peak period of the yatra. The development comes after similar restrictions were announced in neighbouring districts, including Meerut and Muzaffarnagar, as administrations step up arrangements for the Kanwar Yatra. In Meerut, all schools, colleges, universities and technical institutions have been ordered to remain closed till August 12. The closure covers Classes 1 to 12 and institutions affiliated with the Basic Shiksha Parishad, UP Board, CBSE, CISCE, madrassa board and other recognised boards. Government and private higher education institutions have also been included. As per PTI reports, the Meerut administration cited student safety and traffic management as key reasons for the decision. Examinations that were already scheduled will continue according to the existing timetable. In Muzaffarnagar, too, schools have been shut during the Kanwar Yatra period amid the movement of pilgrims through the district. The closures and traffic-related arrangements are aimed at ensuring the smooth movement of Kanwariyas while reducing the risk of disruption for students and other commuters. Educational institutions in affected districts have been directed to comply with the respective closure orders, while students appearing for examinations are expected to follow the schedules issued by their institutions. (With PTI Inputs)
